Image forming apparatus and image forming method

Abstract

An image forming apparatus and an image forming method are provided that realize both the use of a decolorizing toner and a non-decolorizing toner and miniaturization of the apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An image forming apparatus, comprising:
 a first photoconductor on which a first electrostatic latent image is formed, wherein the first photoconductor is in contact with a transfer surface; 
 a second photoconductor on which a second electrostatic latent image is formed, wherein the second photoconductor is in contact with the transfer surface and is downstream in a moving direction of the transfer surface from the first photoconductor; 
 a first developing device configured to develop the first electrostatic latent image on the first photoconductor with decolorable toner; and 
 a second developing device configured to develop the second electrostatic latent image on the second photoconductor with non-decolorable toner. 
 
     
     
       2. The image forming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second electrostatic latent images are transferred via the transfer surface to a sheet. 
     
     
       3. The image forming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer surface is a transfer belt. 
     
     
       4. The image forming apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller that forms a toner image with the decolorable toner and not the non-decolorable toner using only the first photoconductor in response to receiving a print instruction for decolorable toner. 
     
     
       5. The image forming apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller that forms a toner image with the non-decolorable toner and not the decolorable toner using only the second photoconductor in response to receiving a print instruction for non-decolorable toner. 
     
     
       6. The image forming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer surface moves from the first photoconductor to the second photoconductor. 
     
     
       7. The image forming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer surface is located above the first photoconductor and the second photoconductor. 
     
     
       8. The image forming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second photoconductor and the second developing device constitute a process unit, and the process unit is cleanerless. 
     
     
       9. The image forming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second photoconductors contact the transfer surface at the same time.